About Me

Allow me to introduce myself…my name is Kathleen McPhillips and believe it or not we have a lot in common. You and I are both human and divine. With all aspects and characteristics of your human self you are at the same time brilliant, amazing, divine and full of glorious gifts. Your gifts are meant to be lived and shared as are mine. If I were to define my gift it would be leading others on their Soul journey through all the work that I do. Many of the greatest spiritual teachers on the planet are calling this the "era of the Soul." I can feel it, sense it and Know it. I'll share with you a little about my own Journey of the Soul...

Moving ahead many years on the spiritual path the difference between who I once was and who I am today is quite simple really…life brought me to my knees. Has that ever happened to you? Life circumstances, life choices, physical challenges, illness and disease, time and time again, brought me to my knees until I finally woke up to the reality of the life I had created. Yes you are reading this right. I created all of it by not being true to who I Am. Through the Grace of God I finally learned that instead of constantly looking outside of myself for happiness I started looking within. This is what I call making the journey inward to discover all of who I am and I can help you on your journey to discover all of who you are.

I am a mother, grandmother (it’s the BEST!), partner, teacher, friend and mentor sharing my personal story of facing and overcoming lifelong challenges to inspire and empower YOU! At the ripe old age of 52 after surviving breast cancer, dealing with a horrible divorce (that took 7 years, yes 7 long years and lots of money), and continued physical challenges I left the life I knew to retreat to the Adirondack Mountains. There is no doubt, no question my Soul directed me to do this. One of the best things I’ve ever done for myself in life is this: I listened and followed Her (my Soul) lead even when some people I knew and loved did not understand.

I rented a cabin for one year to live in solitude, meditate, pray, write and heal. To be perfectly honest I knew I had the tools to do this. I had a much disciplined prayer life since my early twenties and with six years of Yoga training as well. I knew it would be easy for me to do. But it was more than that. I knew in order to truly heal my body and my life, I must look honestly and deeply within myself. It might sound easy…but it was not. As I acknowledged the life of pain I had lived I also had to acknowledge that I created it by the choices I made in relationships and life. There were so many times I had an inkling, a whisper to do something or not do something...that I ignored. Then the next layer was why? What is deeply embedded in my subconscious that influenced everything I did? Slowly but surely layer upon layer was revealed. With honest reflection I recognized all those moments I ignored as my own Soul guidance. I spent so many days, hours, weeks, months crying my heart out, not just for the pain in life, but with such grief for myself...for not listening to the guidance from my Soul. I felt such loss, like I ignored the very essence of who I am. And that is exactly what it was. Then I began to Understand what real Faith and Trust are...listening to that still small voice within...and soon inner joy began to fill me and there were many times I sang at the top of my lungs! I danced around the cabin feeling such freedom I could not contain it. Of course my mini dachshund Shortey- who was my only companion would look at me and tilt that cute little head of his like hey are you okay up there?

My time there was not all sorrow and sadness, it was also pure joy, exuberance, and liberating. I was filled with gratitude for my life, for the fullness of it all. I finally Know and Understand that my Soul is my great guide. I began to live a life of Faith and Trust. I finally got it. I embraced it all in order to heal and grow…and that’s what I share with every student near and far. The greatest lesson of all for me?

I must listen to my Soul guidance because my Soul will never mislead me. She is the Captain of this ship always and forever.

Miraculously I began making friends and sharing my yoga practice and then the windows and doors of opportunity flew open and before long I was teaching several classes a week, had over 100 students in the tri-lakes area, began leading retreats for women and continue to do all of this and more today. I share my story, I connect with you because there are threads of the familiar in all our stories. I love teaching women because we all too often give our self away. We are born nurturers and we can quickly become depleted. So I’m here to support you on your journey, this is my calling, my gift to you and the world around me in gratitude for all the blessings, gifts and miracles that are ever present in my life and yours.

If I can make this Soul journey and continue to blossom and bloom, to share the fragrance of my gifts with you and the world around us…then so can YOU! I’m happy to guide you on your life and Soul journey because this is what I know…all that you need is within you…sometimes we all need some guidance on how to get there. As I mentioned before and this is important: I am no different, no better, no more capable than you. I am an ordinary woman on her journey of life and a woman who is fully aware of the extraordinary presence and activity of her Soul. This is the era of the Soul and you have your own Soul that is waiting to be heard and ready to lead you to your very best life...are you ready?

With love & blessings,

Kathleen

About my training: I studied the Ancient Tradition of Yoga full time for six years with, whom I believe to be, one of the most brilliant Yoga Teachers of our time, Yogacharya James Amarish Caruso. As Program Director of his traditional yoga school we had over 200 full time students and my training was constant. All that he learned from his two Guru's he shared with me. This was the gift and opportunity of a lifetime. I consider myself blessed and honored to have learned from him at the height of his journey. In time I travelled to Magod, India and studied another tradition of Yoga through the Shanti Darshanam School of Yoga and lived in the Shanti Mandir Ashram throughout my training. I am a certified registered Yoga Teacher, E-RYT and a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, YACEP. Additional training includes: Silver Sneakers and Bootstrap Instructor Certification training. I've been a Reiki Master of the Usui System of Natural Healing since 2007 after having studied with Reiki Master Nancy Factor; and I am a current member of The Henry Hudson Toastmasters.

My teaching experience: I began by assisting in the development and implementation of the children's yoga program and taught ages 4-10. In 2007 I began teaching on my own in the Adirondacks region where I had over 100 students. Classes ranged from beginners, to restorative, to chair yoga, to advanced level classes. As a retreat team member of Creative Healing Connections I had the opportunity to teach women in wheelchairs and some on oxygen the simplicity of movement and breath. Teaching women with cancer and chronic illness for three years in the Adirondacks and then upon my return to the Hudson Valley has been a gift in my life. All of this experience then led me to begin offering spiritual retreats for women which I continue to offer today both here in the Hudson Valley and in the Adirondack region. Namaste!

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Kathleen’s teacher training workshop was inspiring. She led us with authenticity from ritual to practical. She infused the session with the wisdom of her years of yoga service and her personal yoga journey.

This gave the participants, of diverse experience and ability, permission to meet the practices from where they were in their own path of yoga. I have been able to infuse much of what she offered us in my personal practice and as I teach others. I look forward to more opportunities to work with her.

In gratitude, J.F.

Kathleen's ability to create an instant community and midlife is an empowering time of life and to embrace it.

J.F.

Taking the time for myself and listening to other women and appreciating every day.

D.L.

The continued self awareness and listening to my soul.

S.D.

I enjoyed the women's circle, Kathleen, and knowing the women in the circle are not alone and there are others with the like minded spiritual base.

R.H.

I enjoyed your honesty, your knowledge and the group "spirit" and was inspired by the end results of the writing and the listening and talking to your soul exercises. I will take with me mindfulness, breathing and being a better listener.

S.F.

I really enjoyed being with like minded women, meditation and auto writing. I am inspired by Kathleen and the breath work. You are such an inspiration to me along with others. I am grateful for you in my life. Thank you.

C.S.

I enjoyed being with other women who have similar concerns about themselves. I was most inspired by the deep listening portion and that I have many things to look forward to and much to be grateful for. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and spirit with us. You always leave me inspired.

F.M.

I enjoyed the burning ceremony and talking to my soul. I learned to accept where i am in life. The positive things Yoga can do and to honor this chapter of my journey.

A.D.

I loved the self reflection, sharing, listening to your teachings and soul reflection. I learned to accept myself as I am and happy at this stage of my life.

K.V.

I am going to do what I am guided to do even when it doesn't appear to make sense and I loved listening to every story...I love "seeing" their glow brighten.

K.K.

This retreat was life changing. I am inspired by the five stages of the soul and encouraged to continue my yoga practice and follow my path.

E.S.

I enjoyed hearing your wisdom and others stories. What I'll take with me from this retreat is that our experiences both good and what we perceive to be bad all have a purpose.

J.V.

I loved the discussions led by Kathleen and left with more awareness of what my soul is telling me.

E.J.

Kathleen - thank you so much for teachings, practice and opportunity for community within The Purpose of Asana workshop on Sunday. In addition to the above, I loved the way that you communicate and teach with true Joy, and from the Heart. That's truly a gift. I look forward to your return to the Adirondacks in the future!

S.W.

I am inspired to embrace this time of my life, to keep learning and listening deeply to others; being still, breathing and looking for answers within.

B.B.

I love your retreats! There is something so powerful and inspiring to gather with a group of women all on the path to self discovery. Kathleen is a wonderful guide and moderator. Kathleen, you do have a light around you that shines very brightly, and it has a way of putting everyone at ease. I love the subject matter in your retreats. I think my "aha" moment was the realization that the pain we experience is a blessing, really. It has made us who we are....I'm really looking forward to the next retreat. Thank you for making the trip up here to share your gifts with us.

A.S.

I enjoyed the self exploration, listening and sharing activity. I am inspired by listening to information from Kathleen, from others and recognizing that others are where I am at. I will take this growth and self worth into my life, understanding I am not alone and others are there with em on this journey. Thank you so much for coming to us, our weekly yoga practices are wonderful but a retreat like this can be life-changing. I love the notes I take and the handouts as I have something to reflect upon when needed.

C.L.

I enjoyed seeing women open up and accept themselves. I am inspired by every woman sharing her deepest thoughts and hopes and horrors. I'll take this with me: I am divine. I am a child of God.

S.T.

I was touched by the depth and simplicity of the practices Kathleen offered. This was an opportunity to be immersed in attentive awareness, allowing participants to discovery a sense of inherent completeness despite their individual external stories.

J.F.

I enjoyed the community of women, the common thinking and reason for being here. I am inspired by the realization that the answers and Knowing are within me. I'll take the writing exercises and the revelations to come from it into my life.

G.K.

This has been a wonderful experience. Kathleen's spirit sets the tone of acceptance and safety. I love the listening exercise, "Everyday Grace", and the energy from the circle of women.

J.B.

I love the trust, the sharing, the midlife topic is great. Listening to others and that we all come from the same place. This is what I'll take with me: to love and be grateful for the life that has been given to me.Thank you Kathleen for coming back to the Adirondacks and sharing yourself and your teachings again.

T.B.

I want to let people know about the yoga teacher training I attended this fall with Kathleen. Let me start by saying I am not a yoga instructor, I am a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist. With that said; the class was nicely organized, very informative and easily understandable. As a student of yoga it was nice to further my insight into my own practice and be a part of conversation with so many accomplished instructors about their success and struggles while teaching others. As a therapist it was nice to get another lesson in the power of breath and the value of being present with another human being. If you are reading this I sincerely hope you take the opportunity to learn from the wealth of information and experience Kathleen has to offer you. Thank you for taking the time to read and be

Tony C. LMT

Attending Kathleen’s Retreat softens the heart and opens the mind to quiet reflection. Such a wonderful way to stop the clock and make space in our busy lives for gratitude and change to happen! Namaste

E.M.

I've been to many of Kathleen's retreats here in the Adirondacks where I live. Kathleen has inspired me through my own spiritual journey. She is my teacher, my mentor, my friend. I am truly blessed that she walked into my life. I believe we are all teachers and students. Many thanks for her knowledge that she passes along.

C.S.

Kathleen McPhillips embodies the true meaning of yoga. She is a deep well of knowledge that only comes from sincere practice over a long period of time. Her teachings are simple, focused and profound. My own teaching moved to a whole new level after she showed me by example that it's not only ok, but vital, to teach fearlessly, from my heart. For that I am eternally grateful.